Rail project on track to deliver more jobs

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

About 350 people are now employed on the construction of a new maintenance centre at Wulkuraka to service South East Queensland’s next generation of trains – and there’s more work on the way.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson and Member for Ipswich West Sean Choat said the workforce would soon hit 514, delivering on the Newman LNP Government’s pledge to boost job opportunities.

“We are working hard every day to create jobs as part of our strong plan to give Ipswich a brighter future,” Mr Emerson said.

“This project is now employing hundreds of people and, once complete, will provide 150 full-time ongoing positions.

“The project will also provide more than 1,500 indirect opportunities for contractors and other businesses, creating even more jobs for the Ipswich region.”

Construction is nearing the halfway mark, with more than 300 tonnes of steel installed at the site, almost five kilometres of pipework laid and the structural frame of the centre due to be completed next month.

The New Generation Rollingstock project includes purchasing 75 new six-car trains, maintenance of the trains for 30 years, and construction of the purpose-built maintenance centre at Wulkuraka.

“Not only are we creating more jobs and delivering better trains, we will save more than $11 million per train compared to the previous deal done by Labor,” Mr Emerson said.

Mr Choat said the facility would provide Ipswich with jobs for generations to come.

“The largest single public transport investment in Queensland’s history is happening in Ipswich and the community is starting to feel the economic benefit,” Mr Choat said.

“This project is putting Ipswich back at the centre of Queensland’s rail industry and creating local jobs, with more than 75 per cent of construction contracts going to south-east Queensland firms.

“We know there is more work to be done to grow the economy, and that’s why we will keep working hard to build a four pillar economy that delivers more jobs and better services for Queenslanders.”

Bombardier Transportation project director Paul Brown said construction of the maintenance centre was progressing smoothly, with more than 250,000 man hours completed on site to date.

“The first of more than eight kilometres of rail line is now commencing on site, which will enable the new trains to access the centre from the existing rail line at Wulkuraka station,” Mr Brown said.